CCR4 is one of 18 known chemokine receptors – proteins which bind molecules called chemokines to trigger various cellular responses.
Developing antibodies to interfere with CCR4-expressing cells, such as under the AT008 program, could provide a new highly targeted treatment to block cancer growth and spread for a range of solid tumor types.
Under the license agreement, CRT will receive an initial signature payment, as well as pre-clinical and clinical development milestone payments, and royalties on sales of CCR4 antibodies developed by Affitech.
CRT retains rights to the therapeutic use in solid tumors of antibodies against CCL17 and CCL22 – the chemokine molecules which bind to CCR4 receptor to trigger cellular responses.
Affitech will continue to develop its existing anti-CCR4 antibody program AT008, which is currently in pre-clinical development.
Further, Affitech will be able to use any candidate identified in that program in the future for the licensed diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Affitech chief scientific officer Alexander Duncan said they have embarked on an ambitious program to understand potential mechanisms of action of the anti-CCR4 antibody program, AT008, and its application in solid tumors.
"This agreement and research collaboration will extend our capabilities to advance our lead therapeutic GPCR targeted AT008/CCR4 program significantly," Duncan said.
Coinciding with the license deal, CRT, Affitech and QMUL have also signed a collaborative agreement to provide pre-clinical validation for Affitech’s AT008 program – with the aim of proving the potential of the AT008 program as a new drug program to treat cancer using techniques developed in professor Balkwill’s laboratory.
The program will be fully funded by Affitech.